"Holding figures for painting" Topic

For a long while I have been using upturned 35mm film cases to hold single figures but as I am getting older the strain on the figures is becoming more painful (esp with the medication I am on) and I have now moved to basing figures on 'lolly pop' sticks (tongue depressors) around 2cm wide.

As I am currently painting 15mm I can get between 3-5 figures per stick so cutting down the strain – esp. as I can mount the stick on something larger as well.

The problem I have is sticking the figures to the stick and so far have tried 'superglue' and 'Evo-stick' but the figures have been hard to remove when painted.

I'm currently trying Bostick but wonder what everyone else uses?

Andrew
Main site: blog.kings-sleep.me.uk

I used Eilene's (sp) Tacky Glue to put my figures on the sticks. You must plan in advance as the dry time is several hours. Most figures pop off the sticks fairly easily with an X-acto knife later. I have the occasional figure pop off during the painting process (less than 1 in a 100.

I had a hard time with the lolly pop sticks, so I ended up hot gluing each mini to a roofing nail, I then stick that into a "stick" of 2" pink foam. It gives me best of both the works, and the glue sticks well but pops off pretty easily when done

Hot glue on sticks. Remove by slipping end snips under base and squeezing. The figure will pop right off.

I mount my figures on roofing nails which have a large flat head. I can hold the nail in one hand and easily rotate the figure while painting. Mount figures on 2" nails using hot glue. Use the high temp glue sticks with a low temp gun setting. This will create a weak bond that is strong enough to hold the figure during painting but easily popped off when done. A small 3/4" board with 3/16 holes drilled partly through allows you to insert the nails. Thus you can have 20-30 figures all together for painting. Grouping this way also allows for mass spraying of primer and sealer coats.

I use bits of old cardboard and white glue.

Thanks for those folks – looks like Bostick does not work. I've stuck some on 2-3 hours ago and they still swivel so I'll leave overnight and 'borrow' the wifes' hot glue gun

If the 15mm figures are light enough, you can try double sided carpet tape. It works great for 10mm figure since they're very light, but the tape isn't strong enough for 25mm since they're too heavy.

When you're done with 1 set of figures, you can peel the tape off & put another piece on, making your painting sticks completely reusable. I'd always had trouble with using any kind of glue since the residue builds up on the stick over time, I finally had to throw the stick away.

& for the painting stick, I use the sticks the hardware stores give you for mixing paint. Gives you more width to hold onto & gets more figures onto the stick.

I use cardboard strips and UHU glue.

Aileen's tacky glue. Use it to put 15mm on popsicle sticks and 28mm on nail heads.

Hot glue gun… $2-$5 at dollar store

Hot glue. Its only right that after gluing your fingers together repeatedly with superglue you burn them every so often with the glue gun.

I use poster tack, the blue stuff and a stick about 3/4 inches square and about 18" long. And I have never had a figure fall off even holding it upside down. That is for priming, for the painting I swap to a wooden dowel, ¾ stock and about 4" long, with poster tack, to use as a handle. I also built a rack to hold 6 dowels at once.

I hot glue mine to nails.

I used to use hot glue. It works well for most 15s. Now, I base all figs on either metal washers or 15mm sheet metal squares. Then I can use magnets on those same Popsicle sticks instead of hot glue. I have cut magnet strips to the length and width of the sticks. This holds the figures enough to paint, and of course they come off easily. It also makes them reusable. This by far the best method I've used yet. I don't think it would work in bigger scale, but I've had no problems with 15s.

White glue, hot glue, super glue, etc are all meant to be more or less permanent.

I always use rubber cement.
It holds the figures firmly, yet peels away easily when you're done.

I never (well, hardly ever…) use custom thingies to hold figures. I always (well, almost always…) mount the figures on the base they will be fighting on. Of course, leave space on the base. The middle figures get mounted on balsa wood with white glue, and that is a snap to cut away.

I use hot glue also and glue the figs to a paint stirrer – I usually put 8 to 12 figs per stick, depending. It's easy enough to gently pry the figs off the glue, with a utility knife under the edge of the base. I rarely have a problem.

I use rubber cement to attach 15mm to their painting bases.

I use wooden lathes and Uhu. Leave the glue to set for 24 hours before rinsing the figures in hot water and washing up liquid. Once painted and varnished I use a craft knife to remove the figures from the lathe.

I use "Elmer's" (white) glue. It does take a few hours to dry, but I've never had a figure pop off the stick while painting. And removal is easy; just slip the xacto knife under the edge and twist.

I used to use white glue – the figures stayed in place while they needed to, but were easy enough to remove afterward.

Overnight the Bostick set and the figures have been undercoated.

With my good lady field walking today I'm not brave enough to go in her study alone (son still asleep) so I'll finish these first and then try the hot glue / white glue next.

Thanks again for all the help – that's the great thing about TMP

Alligator clips on the end of old paint brushes. Looks like a dope smoker but I've always painted that way.

I simply use white glue/PVA/Elmer's (whatever name you prefer). It takes a little time to set, but once done I can paint my figures and easily remove them from the stick.

Popsicle sticks and white glue for me. Works very well and easy to remove.

Jeff

The Bostik held the figures up for the quick dash of paint I go on them…

I've posted the resultant figures link

Andrew
Main site: blog.kings-sleep.me.uk

I use battle caps from the water bottles. Some guys use nails and hold them into a block of wood. I like that as well and will soon try it.

I use PVA glue (also called Elmer's glue or white glue) on tongue depressors.

When the minis are complete, I submerge them in a shallow pool of tap water so that the water level barely covers the feet.

Water dissolves the glue after an hour or so, and the minis come off cleanly!

I have used nails and super glue in the past , but now use white glue and wide width popsicle sticks ($2.50 for 200 at walmart)cheap and figs come off really easy could ask for more than that.

I have been using a cheap hot glue and some corks. I like the idea of the nails instead though. Never had a problem removing the figure from the glue.

Rigid/strong plastic bottle tops. Nice and round for holding and made for gripping. Tack figures on with blue tack or use a latex glue (like Copydex in UK). Just peel off the figure (and rub away glue) when done.

Elmers. And I slide my knife under one end of the base and they pop right off.

PVA Glue on top of a wine cork. Never fails and you can rotate the figure easily.

Pete